Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Episodes
Mentioned books
250 snips
Sep 19, 2023 • 22min
107. Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
Explore the art of spontaneous speaking with insights on managing unexpected situations. Discover a six-step methodology to enhance communication skills, focusing on mindset and clarity. Humorous anecdotes connect martial arts with effective communication, highlighting anxiety management. Reflect on a rich journey of 100 episodes, celebrating listener relationships and honing spontaneous speaking techniques.
116 snips
Sep 12, 2023 • 24min
106. Rethinks: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication
Adam Tobin and Dan Klein, Stanford lecturers and improvisation mentors, share their insights on mastering spontaneous communication. They discuss the importance of being present and engaged in unpredictable interactions. Emphasizing authenticity, they explore overcoming pressure through self-awareness and the acceptance of imperfection. The duo also highlights reframing challenging audience questions as collaborative opportunities. With personal anecdotes and interactive games, they illustrate how to foster trust and connection for more effective communication.
191 snips
Sep 5, 2023 • 36min
105. Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career
Kim Scott, an executive coach and author known for her bestselling books, dives deep into the transformative power of Radical Candor. She outlines a framework that balances personal care with direct challenges, warning against common pitfalls in communication. Scott shares insights from her experiences at Google, emphasizing the importance of open feedback and emotional intelligence in leadership. Additionally, she highlights how admitting uncertainty can foster collaboration and enhance communication skills, paving the way for growth and understanding in teams.
131 snips
Aug 29, 2023 • 27min
104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)
Katy Milkman, a Wharton professor and co-founder of the Behavioral Change for Good initiative, brings insights from her book, How to Change. She discusses the internal barriers to personal growth, like procrastination and impulsivity. Milkman introduces strategies such as temptation bundling and commitment devices to enhance motivation. She emphasizes the importance of social connections for accountability and how surrounding ourselves with supportive people can affect our success. Effective communication and storytelling are also crucial for achieving our goals.
283 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 25min
103. Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience
Carmine Gallo, a communication coach and Harvard lecturer, shares his expertise on simplifying complex ideas. He emphasizes the need to speak your audience's language for effective communication. Gallo highlights the power of storytelling, suggesting that personal narratives can forge connections. He discusses the importance of adapting language in leadership to foster collaboration, drawing insights from figures like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos. Ultimately, Gallo encourages ongoing development in communication skills, likening it to a martial art.
211 snips
Aug 15, 2023 • 26min
102. Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel
Muriel Wilkins, a C-suite advisor and executive coach, shares her insights on the essence of having a presence that resonates. She emphasizes the importance of being present in communication, suggesting that authenticity can dramatically enhance leader effectiveness. Listeners learn strategies to master communication pitfalls, including active listening and strategic messaging. Wilkins also introduces transformative perspectives on leadership, advocating for viewing challenges as a spectrum and utilizing storytelling to engage audiences.
30 snips
Aug 8, 2023 • 25min
101. We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community
Geoffrey Cohen, a psychology professor and author of 'Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides,' discusses the critical importance of authentic connections for emotional wellbeing. He emphasizes that effective communication is key to establishing these connections. Topics include mastering empathy and emotion, key ingredients for impactful dialogue, the powerful health benefits of belonging, and strategies to cultivate understanding in diverse communities, highlighting how our need for connection shapes our lives.
76 snips
Aug 1, 2023 • 23min
100. Shut Up! How to Communicate Better by Talking Less
Dan Lyons, a journalist and author known for his book STFU, dives into the art of communication. He advocates for the power of silence, explaining how effective communication often means talking less and listening more. Lyons emphasizes active listening and empathy, suggesting techniques like mirroring to deepen connections. He highlights how excessive talking can harm relationships and explains how positive reinforcement in conversations can foster trust and well-being. Tune in for insights on transforming your dialogue skills!
126 snips
Jul 25, 2023 • 24min
99. Rethinks: How to Handle Challenging Conversations
Collins Dobbs, a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and an executive coach, shares insights on navigating challenging conversations. He emphasizes the power of silence for reflection and the importance of being a curious listener. Dobbs introduces the AIR feedback model, focusing on self-awareness and emotional acknowledgment in dialogue. He advocates for a collaborative communication style, comparing it to basketball strategy, and stresses the need for grace and connection to enhance communication effectiveness.
167 snips
Jul 18, 2023 • 24min
98. Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback
David Dodson, a Stanford GSB lecturer and author of The Manager’s Handbook, shares his insights on constructive feedback and effective communication. He emphasizes the transformative power of 360 reviews in identifying blind spots and enhancing managerial skills. Dodson provides a structured six-step framework for delivering feedback and discusses strategies for inclusive meetings inspired by great leaders. He highlights the importance of substance over style in communication, ensuring that messages resonate with audiences.
